Aim

To supply appropriate quality Orthoptic care to patients identified to have reading difficulties at school. Some of these patients may already be diagnosed with dyslexia or describe problems with seeing words clearly despite apparently having good eyesight.

Methodology

The author has for many years been assessing patients with reading difficulties.

It was felt that this was an area that needed expansion due to such interest in the media with various forms of expensive treatment that may or may not work and particularly as anxious parents were paying huge amounts of money without first getting a full Orthoptic examination to assess the state of binocularity of the eyes i.e. how the patient uses their eyes together which plays a vital part in the reading process.

Meetings were set up with the Head of Visual Impairment who is usually the first port of call when specific difficulties at school are encountered.

Results

The link forged with the Education Authorities has enlightened them as to my role with these children.

Children are now referred directly to the Orthoptic Department in order to identify what treatment they require this may include eye exercises, glasses , coloured overlays and/or tinted glasses.

The author has set up regular feedback meetings with the Education authority who in turn feeds back to the teacher who can also then encourage the child to carry out the relevant treatment in the classroom setting.

In turn the author is given feedback on progress at school with reading/ writing.

Evaluation

Through discussion with the Education Authority and parents it is evident that the children given the appropriate treatment can improve dramatically with reading and writing.

Reflection

Many of these children would not receive the necessary treatment they need to improve their reading skills if this link between the NHS and Education had not been made .

This highlights the need to form partnerships with outside agencies.

Further action

The author continues to work closely with Education to ensure that this group of children are offered the necessary extended Orthoptic investigation and appropriate treatment.